Osaka University designs a wide range of disposable paper gas sensors

May 13, 2023

[ Instrument Network Instrument R & D ] According to foreign media reports, researchers at Osaka University have developed a disposable paper gas sensor that is reported to solve supply chain issues such as the cost and sustainability of raw materials used, Issues of ruggedness and consistency, as well as their disposability and environmental impact cooking equipment, Gas stove, Cooking Equipment.

(Picture from Osaka University)

A paper molecular sensor device consisting of a wood-derived cellulose nanofiber paper substrate, a zinc oxide nanowire sensor, and a pencil-shaped graphite electrode, which not only shows effective molecular sensing functions, but also shows cut and paste Availability and one-time use that facilitates the future IoT society.

Before understanding the gas sensor, we can first understand the gas sensor. The gas sensor is also called a gas detector, which is an electronic device that detects and identifies different types of gases. They are commonly used to detect toxic or explosive gases and measure gas concentrations. Gas sensors are used in factories and manufacturing facilities to identify gas leaks and detect smoke and carbon monoxide in houses. However, gas sensors vary widely in size (portable and stationary), range, and sensing capabilities. They are usually part of large embedded systems (such as dangerous goods and security systems) and are usually connected to an audible alarm or interface. Because gas sensors constantly interact with air and other gases, they must be calibrated more frequently than many other types of sensors.

The gas sensor developed by researchers at Osaka University is made of very fine nanowires, which are supported by a biodegradable cellulose nanofiber backing and have graphite electrodes that can be drawn on them with pencils. This gas sensor is used to detect NO2 gas (an important part of many industrial processes) and its performance is comparable to the available electrodes. The working principle of this other sensor is as follows: When NO2 molecules are present around the sensor, they will adsorb to the surface of the nanowire, and as the gas molecules affect the electrons that transport current between the electrodes, the resistance will increase. For higher concentration gases, the resistance increases even more.

Hirotaka Koga, a researcher at Osaka University, explained, "Our design has laid a lot of foundation for providing economic and environmental-friendly molecular gas sensing on a large scale. Zinc oxide nanowires provide a very large surface area for gas molecule attachment, and cellulose paper The stand is sturdy and can be cut very small (only a few millimeters) with ordinary scissors. These gas sensors are made in a simple two-step process and are therefore suitable for widespread use. "

"We hope that many of the advantages of our equipment will make a significant contribution, especially in the area of molecular detection. Accurate measurement of gas concentrations is important in many areas such as healthcare, environmental protection, chemical production and health and safety," said Associate Professor Koga. "The researchers hope that this simple two-step process can be extended to detect other gas molecules.

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